From Moshood Karim
The Edo State Government has vehemently refuted claims made in a report by online news platform infopower.ng, alleging that Governor Godwin Obaseki seized burrow pits in Obagie Nā Evbosa, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state from the Benin monarch.
In a statement issued by the Hon. Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, the government declared that the report is “spurious, incredibly ridiculous, and misleading.”
The statement described the report as a desperate and futile attempt to deceive the public and tarnish the image of the governor, emphasizing that there is a cordial relationship between the revered monarch and the governor.
The government further alleged that the writer is affiliated with “defeated, defanged, and disgruntled politicians” who seek to undermine peace and safety in the state and incite the people against the governor.
To provide clarity, the government explained that the illegal activities at the burrow pit in question were discovered during a State Executive Council visit to CORAL City, a development project aimed at decongesting Benin City.
It was emphasized that the operators’ activities in the illegal burrow pit pose a serious threat to the lives and properties of residents in the area, warranting a call for adherence to approved mining sites to mitigate environmental degradation.
The government condemned the fabrication of stories by news websites and warned infopower.ng to retract the report within 24 hours, or face legal actions from the State government.
